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February 27, 2008

I realized that I haven't posted about me in quite a while. I guess it's time.

Lets' start with today - because I am scared and I could use the prayers of anyone reading my blog.

When I went to bed last night, my whole body hurt. I felt it in my joints, in my muscles and even in my bones. I ached even if I was in the perfect position and not moving. I struggled to sleep for several hours. Then about 5:00am I awoke with a pain in my right side. I dozed off and on until 6:00am when the pain was so bad I couldn't get comfortable and couldn't sleep. I finally took pain medication, when, once it took effect, at least brought me comfort.

The past few weeks have been some of the lowest physical days I've experienced. Of course, this challenges my heart and spirit.

But through some very simple but powerful steps, I continue to renew my mind and stay focused on loving God and loving others!

On a fun note, I am now the proud owner of the domain www.thecreatorspalette.com !! It's probably not picked up by the search engines yet, but you can type it in your browser and go directly to my art gallery!

Your prayers and support mean so much to me. I get notes and gifts and help that I have not been able to acknowledge as I would like, but I thank all of you who reach out to me - even with just a greeting brought to me through Bill!

Please also pray as Bill and I read and try to understand new research in the area of ME/CFS. Great things are happening in the medical field including a hopeful study being conducted at Standford University (where I grew up!)

February 22, 2008

I just wanted to share the painting that I painted for Bettina - the winner of my Blog contest.

As soon as I drew her name, I knew exactly what I wanted to paint for her. I began it, and hit one of the lowest periods of fatigue that I have ever had. My muscles were even too tired to hold a paintbrush! So it sat unfinished for much too long! But tonight, I was able to complete it and think Bettina will love it!

February 11, 2008

Today is our 24th Wedding Anniversary. (Don't we look young in this picture???)

24 years ago - we were just arriving at a little cabin in Inverness, CA (on the coast) and Bill was coming down with a very bad cold!

Tonight.... Bill is coming down with a cold!

How many times has this happened on our Anniversary? It's happened so many times it's almost funny! I guess that's what we get for getting married in February! Thankfully, we've had cold-free anniversaries so I know it's not psychosomatic - hee hee.

What an amazing thing to look back at life and think of having spent 24 years growing up together. We're not thrilled about the health challenges the past 5 and half years have brought, but we're thankful to God for bringing us through them - still strong in our love and commitment to one another!

Just wanted to share!

PS: Just 2 more days to enter the drawing for a free ORIGINAL artwork by, yours truly! I can't wait to see who wins!!!!

February 3, 2008

*** I'm still dealing with some major issues - but I DID eat some actual food yesterday and today and have gone 2 days without pain meds. I am very very worn out though. I thought you might like to read this post I created for my art blog - as it applies here too. So I have copied and pasted it! Enjoy! ***

Consider the Ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds?"Luke12:24

This little watercolor was created for the ACEO Theme Week of "Sweets". Of course, I thought about painting some chocolate or candy hearts... but life has felt just a little more serious than that lately.

Then I thought about the word "Sweets". "Sweets" is the nickname I call my daughter. It's a name of love.

I was sitting home all alone, my kids were off to their teenage activities and my husband was gone for the day caring for his dear parents who are facing some very difficult health days. And while I sat there, alone and tired, I was reminded that I didn't need to worry. I was more important than the beautiful birds who sing outside my window and are fed every day by God. I am God's "Sweets" - and so are you!

A few days a year, God feeds those Raven's the cherries off my husbands cherry tree LOL! And suddenly it seemed the perfect representation of "Sweets".

You might ask... how can God care for the birds and allow the bad things happening to me, or to those I love?

A friend loaned me a bunch of movies this week. In the bag was a movie called "Love Comes Softly" based on a book by Janette Oke. A young widow is grieving and asks, "How can you know God hears your prayers?" The answer she is given really hits home for me.

"My daughter could fall down and hurt herself, even if I'm walkin' right there beside her. That doesn't mean I allowed it to happen. But she knows, with a Father's unconditional love, I'll pick her up and carry her... I'll try to heal her... I'll cry when she cries... and I'll rejoice when she is well.

In all the moments of my life, God's been right there beside me. The truth of God's love is not that he allows bad things to happen, it's his promise that he'll be there with us, when they do."

I deal with an illness every single day of my life. It won't go away and has stripped me of so many things. But if there's one thing I believe, it's that God is there walking me through it. And he cares for me, just like he cares for the Ravens who do not reap and sow.

PS: Don't forget to sign up for my contest to win a FREE original artwork! See the post from February 1st.

February 1, 2008

Beginning today, February 1st 2008, you have the opportunity to win an ORIGINAL art piece by Melanie!

How?

Here are the rules:

1)

Begin by visiting my website The Creators Palette and browsing through the gallery pages. (click on the link to "Melanie's Art Gallery" at the right)

2)Then come back to my blog and leave a comment here, telling me the title of one of your favorite pieces of artwork and which page is it on (gallery pages have page numbers at the top)

That’s it! Everyone who leaves a comment between now and February 13 will be put into a random drawing. My son will pull out a name and the winner will be announced on all three blogs on February 14!

Where?

Did I say, all 3 blogs? Well… yes I did! And that means that you can enter three times if you visit all three blogs! Only ONE winner, but you can enter THREE times! However, you must leave the title of a different piece of art for each entry.

On February 14, all entries will be put into a box and my son will blindly pull out one name. The winner will be announced on all three blogs. If you win, all you have to do is use the contact form on my website (available on any gallery page) and send me your name and address and I will mail you your prize.